Tamaqua, Marian Juniors Sing Their Way To Victory

April 24, 1986|The Morning Call

Juniors at Tamaqua and Marian high schools were among winners of the recent vocal scholarship competition of the St. David Society of Schuylkill and Carbon counties.

Donna Deininger, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Deininger of Tamaqua, was the winner of a $1,000 scholarship and Jeanette Rossino, a Marian student and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Getz of Jim Thorpe, won a $250 scholarship, at the competition held in the Pottsville Middle School.

Other winners of $250 scholarships included sophomore Brad R. Dean and senior Timothy E. Angst, both of Pottsville High School, and Albert J. Irvin, a Mahanoy freshman.

A total of 21 high school students in Carbon and Schuylkill counties competed.

Dr. Carlton Jones Lake, director of the School of Performing Arts, Philadelphia, was adjudicator. Dr. Lake graded and critiqued the singers and met with the winners. Each competitor received a gradesheet with comments and recommendations for improvement.

Deininger, a repeat performer, was a winner in her class group last year.

Alfred J. Reese Jr. of Mahoning Valley, first vice president, said the society is planning a drive to solicit more participation in the scholarship competition. He said the goal is to have an entrant from each high school in both counties.

He said high school musical directors will be notified in February of the competition to be held the following month.

Reese said entrants are permitted to sing any type of music. The goal of the program is to assist aspiring singers with their musical education and to encourage an attitude of striving toward high standards and appreciation of music.

Funds for the scholarship are derived from profits of the sale of cassette tapes. Currently, the two tapes available include Welsh and classical music, and Broadway hits and popular songs. The vocals are by Carla Jenkins of Pottsville, reigning Miss Pocono and a Millersville University student, with accompaniment by David Hughes Bryant of Camden, N.J., formerly of Mount Carmel. Bryant is a concert pianist and composer. Miss Jenkins will be competing in the June 15 Miss Pennsylvania competition at Altoona.

The $8 tapes are available on a nationwide basis, and also may be obtained from: Merlyn J. Jenkins & Associates, 505 W. Market St., Pottsville, Pa., 17901. The tapes are available at bulk rates.

The society also obtains funds from proceeds of the Pendryus Choir concert. Contributions also are accepted and may be mailed to: St. David Society of Schuylkill and Carbon Counties Scholarship Fund, c/o Rose Morgan, 85 Water St., Cumbola, Pa. 17930.